E350 7.3 idi engine replacement

[VanGo]

Hoping to ask a few questions along the way.


I purchased a 1992 E350 extended van. The 7.3 idi engine is to be replaced. I purchased a doner engine that was pulled from a school bus with 53,000 miles. Prior to purchase while the engine was still in, we had the engine cold started ( although summer) and the engine started quickly and no smoke of any color when accelerating.

I have done a bit of research on the removal of the engine. Probably will take a bit of effort but we should be fine. I have a friend and he is a good mechanic and is good with diesels.(mainly newer )

I have started unbolting and will remove what is on the current engine in the van to use on the bus engine. The more I remove the more “room” it will make for the removal process.

I see there will be a fair amount of bolt on items that will need to be transferred. The van has a serpentine set up and the bus is pulleys.

I also see the oil filler spout in the van is in the top of the timing gear cover.
Since the engine ran nice I want to avoid changing over any of the critical pieces if possible.

Of course the more we get into it more will be obvious on what must be changed over. I have read about the oil pan, pickup, exhaust manifolds, etc.

Does anyone know if the bus engines water pump is different? If the whole front of the engine bolt on parts need to be swapped then we can remove things knowing that we must align gears, re time etc. when reassembling. And since the previous engine is not running we do not know all that is good or bad on the engine.

Just trying to leave as much intact on the good running engine as possible in hope that it will fire right up as it did before it was pulled. if possible It would be preferred not to mess with the Ip pump, timing, etc if possible.

The only early upgrades would be electronic fuel pump, and maybe add the fuel rails to reduce leak issues in return lines. The goal is for quick starts.

Already have purchased new batteries, upgrading all new battery cables, and putting on a fresh starter.

The vehicle was converted to a 4x4 early in its life and is a clean vehicle that originally came from out west, it’s worth getting it running again.

Thanks in advance for any 7.3 idi comments or general E350 engine pulling that might be helpful.

Ed

 

[IDIBRONCO]

Of course the more we get into it more will be obvious on what must be changed over. I have read about the oil pan, pickup, exhaust manifolds, etc.

Does anyone know if the bus engines water pump is different?

All of this depends on what type of bus it is. If it's built off of a Ford Van, then I don't think that you'll have to change the oil pan or pick up tube. If it's an International bus, then you'll have to change over more parts. Yes an International water pump is different than a Ford because the fan bolts to the water pump instead of having a big nut that threads on. The IP is also different on an International. The throttle cable attaches differently (I believe) and the governor is set to a lower RPM.

 

[DirtyWood]

Maybe you already know of this site but it has a lot of info on 7.3 IDI vans. https://www.nickpisca.com/diesel/

 

[VanGo]

Thanks , it is an international engine…. I take it the linkage from the old Ip can not be used?

Is there an easy way to bench test an IP? I have no clue what type of condition the old one is in. They also had an extra one sitting in the van .

They may have tinkered with them. But it does not look like the original was never removed. Unsure…

 

[IDIBRONCO]

I take it the linkage from the old Ip can not be used?

I don't know on that part.

 

[ihc1470]

I suspect the motor mounts will be different. IH trucks usually have one mount in the front and two in the back usually on a SAE bell housing.

The way I do it get both engines sitting side by side and just start swapping. Do not be surprised if you get down to a long block before starting back together.

 

[VanGo]

I suspect the motor mounts will be different. IH trucks usually have one mount in the front and two in the back usually on a SAE bell housing.

The way I do it get both engines sitting side by side and just start swapping. Do not be surprised if you get down to a long block before starting back together.

Yes that’s what I suspect. Since I may not be able to use the critical parts from the new doner engine, I may end up just getting another IP and a couple other items. The engine only has 53,000 miles and I am not sure I want to chance it by using items off the old engine that I have no idea of the condition.

Sounds like it is a bit of a pain to get out and even working on when in.

With a couple new parts I may be able to put the money up front and the engine may out last our needs…

 

[VanGo]

As purchased…

 

[VanGo]

Was able to work on for a bit. Almost ready to move in building to pull engine. Hopefully I can get to it soon.

Looked over the IP on the bus engine, both engines have manual
Linkage on the IP, it may be possible
to use. I just order a new water pump since I am unaware of the condition on the old engine.

 

[VanGo]

Well van sat much of winter, a good friend has a shop and has been gracious to allow me to use to work on it and he is also a very good mechanic. He has guided me and helped me with removing and getting the engine in. It’s slow
Moving as I can get there on the weekends. But now we are making progress! Just have to get everything bolted back up to give it a try!

 

[VanGo]

While waiting to get the van in, took the opportunity to look over the engine. Bought an engine kit and changed all gaskets seals etc. except the head gaskets. The engine was definitely maintained unlike the engine that was pulled.

 

[DirtyWood]

Why not do the head gaskets while the engine is out? I'm about 75% finished with replacing both cylinder heads in frame on an F350 and holy heck-fire it's a PITA. My legs and back are beat from so much time leaning over the engine bay.

 

[IDIBRONCO]

Why not do the head gaskets while the engine is out?

If you look at the pictures, you'll see that it's a little late for that.

 

[VanGo]

I was just going to put the engine in as is. It ran fine….
I considered. But ended up leaving. Hopefully that won’t haunt me.

Maybe it would have been easier for you to pull the engine for the gasket work?

 

[VanGo]

We found that once the intake is off, when using a picker as close to engine as possible it can out rather easy. One thing I learned was that there is no way I could have done this in my garage. The van is huge, and a lot of room is required for the engines and all the miscellaneous parts.

With the van I can actually step in the engine bay…. Rather than lean over. Perhaps that would be a benefit if heads needed to be changed? My hope is that I will not need to do any work for a while… I have heard these engines are good for 500,000. Seems like it was just broke in at 53,000?

Not that I would ever want to pull again but I think going through it once would make the second time a bit easier.

Not sure I could done myself now going through the process.
Everything is heavy. This is my first diesel…